Spartans FC 0

Kilmarnock FC 3

Kilmarnock were on form on Sunday afternoon as a brace from Alex Samizadeh and a goal from Daniel Scally was enough to beat Spartans on their own turf. The side in blue and white progress into the fourth round of the Scottish FA Youth Cup.

Five minutes into the match Spartans had a good chance to take the lead. Cameron Dawson turned past the defender on the left side, getting a shot away on the edge of the box. However, Killie keeper, Curtis Lyle saved the effort at the near post.

Not so long after Spartans were on the attack again. Dawson involved himself in an attacking effort once again as he headed the ball onto Oliver Hetherington who was through on goal on the left-hand side. However, pressure from the opposition defence forced the player to take the ball out of play, unable to get a shot away at goal.

Despite the game being fairly even for the opening quarter of the match, it was the penalty decision that changed the game as Samizadeh was taken out from behind in the penalty box as a cross was played in. The fouled player stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal, the keeper diving the opposite way as Killie went ahead in the 28th minute.

Moments later, Kilmarnock doubled their lead after a good team effort in the 31st minute. Josh Jeffries played in Samizadeh on the right side who burst down the wing with pace. The goalscorer then sent a cross to Scally in the left side of the penalty area, bouncing off his chest and into the net.

Half Time:

Spartans FC

0-2

Kilmarnock FC

Spartans did their best to try get back into the game and almost pulled one back in the 52nd minute Hetherington made a run down the left channel to then enter the penalty area. Sending the defender the opposite way, the forward got a shot away but the keeper was there to make the save.

Soon after Spartans were a threat on goal once again. Jordan Smith flicked the ball over the defender in the 58th minute, travelling towards the right-side edge of the box to shoot. His shot bended from left to right but was just inches wide of the top corner at the near post.

A third goal for Kilmarnock came in the 60th minute and seemed to be the final nail in the coffin for the Edinburgh side. Daniel Higgins played a ball from outside the area into star player, Samizadeh on the right side of the penalty box. The forward slightly loses his balance but he still manages to thunder the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

It would have been a tough ask for Spartans at this point to level the shares, nevertheless, they almost bagged themselves a consolation goals in the final stages of the game. Dawson played a ball across to substitute, Arran Singh on the right flank. Singh made his way into the box, cutting onto his left foot and curving the ball towards the far side of goal. Killie’s number one, Lyle made sure that his clean sheet was intacked, saving the effort.

Spartans' star player was Jordan Pettigrew. A difficult game for any keeper facing up against a professional side. However, Pettigrew kept his head held high throughout the match and made some important saves in an attempt to keep his side in the game. The match will have had certainly been a learning experience for the youngster but he will hopefully come out a better player as a result.

Kilmarnock’s star player was Alex Samizadeh. The 18-year-old joined the club back in July and has already been involved in matches with the first team. The Iranian forward made the most of his time playing with the youth side on Sunday, bagging two goals to his name and set up the second of the match also. Confident on the ball, Samizadeh is talented player who adds a certain style of flair to Killie’s game. Influential in almost every counter attack the side from the west had, it looks like the club have signed a real promising prodigy.

Magic Moment

Spartans FC

Kilmarnock FC

Spartans’ magic moment was their chance on goal from Arran Singh in the late stages of the game. It was a difficult game for the Edinburgh side but full credit to them for continuing to cause Kilmarnock’s defence problems throughout the 90 minutes. A consolation goal would have been well earned by the home side who gave Killie a tough fight but it wasn’t meant to be.

Kilmarnock’s magic moment was their third goal of the game scored by Alex Samizadeh. The away side had played well throughout the match but it was this goal that showcased their level of quality. Their winger had been on form since kick off and played a key part to the team’s success. Samizadeh’s impressive strike cemented his side’s place in the fourth round with only 15 minutes played of the second half.